News

Erie House To Wrap Up Summer Series on Immigration

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 15, 2014 | Chicago, IL

Alderman Joe Moreno discusses immigration's history in Chicago during the pilot event of the Erie House series on immigration ealier this summer.

Erie Neighborhood House will conclude its Learn. Lead. Create Community. (LLCC) salon series on immigration Thursday, September 25th, by asking the question, “Where are we now?” from a Latino perspective. The panel discussion and conversation are especially timely, given President Obama’s recent decision to delay administrative action on immigration reform and subsequent disappointment expressed by the Latino community and its pro-immigrant allies.

WHAT: “Where Are We Now? The Latino Perspective” — an interactive panel discussion exploring contemporary issues facing the Latino community as they relate to immigration

“It’s important for us to host this particular conversation,” comments Erie House Executive Director Celena Roldán-Moreno. “Many of our participants—Latino immigrants who contribute to our society in countless ways—are among the millions of individuals and families who are feeling excluded from the American dream. If we are to faithfully work toward a more just and inclusive society, we need to be intentional about having these sorts of conversations.”

She points out that more than 80% of Erie House program participants are Latino, and the agency’s growing presence in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood ensures that it will continue serving an immigrant population far into the future.

“We hope events like this will help shape the broader conversation about immigration reform and bring our nation to a place where immigrants are fully recognized for their gifts and contributions and feel empowered to secure a better future for themselves and their families,” says Roldán-Moreno.

The idea for the LLCC salon series emerged out of the agency’s desire to build new connections within its West Town context and to enlist community members in meaningful volunteer opportunities that align with the mission of Erie House. Topics addressed earlier this summer included immigration and education, immigration and workforce, and Chicago’s history of immigration.

Erie Neighborhood House (ENH) is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization that reaches 5,000 people annually, empowering them to build better lives while strengthening their communities. ENH offers Chicago’s Latino and diverse low-income residents a range of community-based education programs. With forward-thinking leadership, ENH is committed to continuing its legacy of cost effective, award-winning programming. For more information, please visit www.eriehouse.org.